Target Australia has announced 12 student designers who will showcase their breakthrough collections on the runway at the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival on March 19, 2015. As presenting partner of the 2015 National Graduate Showcase at the Festival, Target announced the 12 finalists – 3 from Victoria and 9 from NSW - and unveiled their successful designs with Festival CEO, Graeme Lewsey today in North Melbourne. The World Loves Melbourne congratulates all the finalists and wishes them the best of success.

Top design (above) from finalist Sofie Teh from NSW.

Target’s Womenswear General Manager, Gillian Ridley Whittle said each of the finalists will show six key looks as part of the 2015 National Graduate Showcase in March. “This prestigious program is a launching pad for young designers and gives them an incredible opportunity to showcase what they can do in front of consumers, fashion decision-makers and industry experts at the Festival,” said Ms Ridley Whittle. “Each year, the National Graduate Showcase runway is a sell-out, because everyone just loves the energy and excitement the student designers bring to the Festival. “At Target, we are thrilled to be involved in the program and mentoring our next generation designers on the road to success.”

Festival CEO, Graeme Lewsey, said over 130 students across the country applied for the program, and twelve finalists were selected. “We were inundated with students wanting to be part of the National Graduate Showcase this year and we have selected twelve talented finalists,” Mr Lewsey said. “We are thrilled by the calibre of this year’s graduate’s and excited to share their creativity with Festival attendees. The National Graduate Showcase provides students with a platform to gain valuable industry experience. It’s important that we continue to support emerging talent to ensure the steady growth of Australian fashion.”

Eye catching design (above) from finalist Vanessa Emirian from NSW.

A judging panel including Ms Ridley Whittle, Mr Lewsey, Designer Yeojin Bae, Stylist Kate Gaskin and Head of Designers for Target Anthony Pecora chose this year’s finalists. As part of the 2015 National Graduate Showcase, Target will again offer a $25,000 grant to one successful finalist and the opportunity to design a one-off Target capsule collection in 2015. The recipient of this additional prize will be announced in April, and will be selected by the Designers for Target panel.